--- title: "Is the Nerva App Good for IBS-D? Thoughts on gut-directed hypnotherapy" entity: "blog" canonical_url: "https://www.drdanwool.com/blog/nervaibs" markdown_url: "https://www.drdanwool.com/llms/blog/nervaibs" lastmod: "2025-03-04T18:00:00.000Z" --- Medically reviewed by [Dr. Dan Wool, NMD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdanwool/) Arizona-licensed Naturopathic Physician and Gastroenterology Specialist Updated: Febrtuary 23, 2026 Summary: - What is IBS-D and the Nerva App? [Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D)](/ibs-treatment)causes chronic stomach aches, cramping, bloating, gas, and frequent loose stools requiring professional diagnosis and long-term management. Nerva app developed by psychophysiologist Dr. Simone Peters at Monash University delivers 42-session (6-week) gut-directed hypnotherapy program with 10-15 minute daily audio sessions, educational IBS resources, community support, and symptom tracking tools rewiring brain through guided relaxation exercises and positive affirmations targeting amygdala stress response center. - Nerva App Clinical Research and Benefits: Studies show gut-directed hypnotherapy improves IBS symptoms by enhancing gut motility, reducing visceral hypersensitivity, and improving quality of life with long-lasting benefits. Nerva offers convenient at-home accessibility replacing in-person hypnotherapy sessions, holistic approach addressing physical and psychological IBS-D aspects through gut-brain axis modulation, and self-management tools enabling symptom tracking and progress monitoring. Complements traditional treatments including low FODMAP diet, antidiarrheals, antispasmodics, antidepressants, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness practices. - Holistic IBS-D Management Combining Natural and Traditional Treatments: Integrate Nerva hypnotherapy with probiotics (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus strains) improving gut health, herbal remedies including peppermint oil for antispasmodic abdominal pain relief and ginger for digestive discomfort, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine regulating nervous system and gut motility, dietary supplements (fiber, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids) reducing inflammation, and lifestyle changes including regular exercise, stress management, adequate sleep. Program requires six-week daily session commitment with variable individual effectiveness outcomes for comprehensive symptom control. Have you heard of the [Nerva](https://www.nervahealth.com) app? This app, which is gaining popularity, uses gut-directed hypnotherapy to help calm the nervous system aspects that are often a root cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, especially the subtype with diarrhea. Here's the skinny: ## What is IBS-D? [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](/ibs) is a common condition nowadays affecting the stomach and intestines, with the exact cause still unknown. The symptoms can include chronic stomach aches, cramping,[bloating,](/bloating)gas, diarrhea, [constipation](/constipation), or both. Avoid self-diagnosing as having some of the symptoms, regularly or occasionally doesn’t mean you have IBS. You need to be diagnosed by a health professional and if you have IBS, it needs to be managed long-term. IBS with Diarrhea (IBS-D) is a type of IBS that might include some or all of the above symptoms and frequent passing of loose stools. ## What is The Nerva App? Simone Peters, Ph.D., an Australian psychophysiologist is the co-founder of the Nerva App and she was working with Monash University when she became interested in the psychological component of IBS and developed the app with Mindset Health. The mobile application provides a 42-session (6-week)-delivered gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH). It aims at offering people a way to self-manage symptoms via 10-15 minutes long hypnotherapy audio sessions that you should listen to daily. It also offers educational resources with IBS insight, community support, and symptom tracking to help monitor progress and identify triggers. The objective of the sessions is to rewire the brain through guided relaxation exercises and positive affirmations. These act on the brain's stress response center (the amygdala) thus reducing the severity of nervous system-related IBS symptoms. ## Traditional treatment for IBS-D Traditional treatments for [IBS-D](/ibs-treatment) usually involve changing your diet, prescription and/or over-the-counter medications, and stress management techniques. Commonly recommended changes in diet include following a low FODMAP [2] diet (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols i.e. certain sugars that may cause intestinal distress), upping your fiber intake, and avoiding trigger foods such as milk, caffeine, fizzy drinks, sugar-free gum and foods high in fructose. A medical professional might also prescribe drugs such as antidiarrheals, antispasmodics, and antidepressants to manage symptoms. It has been observed that stress management techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices can help reduce symptom severity. ### Dietary Changes for IBS-D - Low FODMAP Diet: This diet involves reducing the intake of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, as they can be triggers for IBS symptoms. - Fiber Intake: Increasing [soluble fiber intake](/blog/fiber) can help manage diarrhea and improve gut health. - Avoiding Other Trigger Foods: Apart from the common trigger foods mentioned above, a naturopath can help you Identify other foods that activate symptoms and by avoiding them you can manage IBS-D better. ### Medications for IBS-D - Antidiarrheals: Medications like loperamide can help reduce diarrhea in IBS-D sufferers. - Antispasmodics: These drugs can relieve abdominal pain and cramping. - Antidepressants: Low doses of tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can aid in pain management and improve overall well-being. ### IBS and Stress Management - Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): stress and anxiety can be important triggers for exacerbating IBS-D. CBT is proven to help reduce these and thus alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea and other IBS symptoms to a great degree. - Mindfulness Practices: Meditation, deep breathing, and other mindfulness techniques can also reduce stress, and anxiety and improve gut health. The Nerva app really stresses these latter two forms of IBS-D management. ## What Do Studies Say about the Nerva App? Several studies have explored the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for IBS and other gut-related conditions, One of them is the Nerva app, and below are some of the key findings: - There’s evidence that hypnotherapy focusing on gut health can improve IBS symptoms by enhancing gut motility, reducing visceral hypersensitivity, and improving quality of life [4]. - A review article in PubMed reported that hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for IBS, bringing long-lasting benefits [5]. ## The Nerva App vs Traditional Treatment Options The Nerva app offers a convenient and accessible complimentary to traditional treatments for IBS-D. While traditional treatments focus on dietary changes, medications, and stress management, the Nerva app directly addresses the gut-brain axis using hypnotherapy. This can benefit those who have not found relief with traditional treatments or prefer a non-pharmacological option. ### Advantages of the Nerva App - Convenience: Easy to use at home or on the move, making it accessible to everyone who may not have access to in-person hypnotherapy sessions. - Holistic Approach: The app addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of IBS-D. - Self-Management: App users can track their symptoms and progress, thus taking control of their condition. ### Limitations of the Nerva App - Variable Outcomes: The effectiveness of hypnotherapy can vary from person to person, so improvements cannot be easily predictable. - Commitment: The program requires daily sessions for six weeks, which may be challenging for some. ## Integrating Natural Treatments with Traditional Medicine Combining natural treatments with traditional medicine constitutes a holistic approach to managing IBS-D. Some natural treatments that can complement traditional therapies include: - Probiotics contain beneficial bacteria that can help improve gut health and reduce IBS symptoms. According to studies certain strains of probiotics, such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and [Bacillus species](/blog/how-soil-based-probiotics-can-improve-ibs-and-your-gut-health), can be effective in managing IBS-D. - Herbal remedies such as peppermint oil (its antispasmodic properties can reduce abdominal pain and bloating) and ginger (helps with nausea and digestive discomfort) are used to alleviate IBS symptoms. - Traditional Chinese Medicine / [Acupuncture](/blog/emotions) as part of a holistic treatment plan can improve IBS-D symptoms by regulating the nervous system and enhancing gut motility. - Dietary Supplements such as fiber, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids can support gut health and reduce inflammation. [Fiber supplements](/blog/fiber)can help regulate bowel movements, while omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit individuals with IBS-D. - Lifestyle Changes including regular exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep can significantly improve IBS symptoms and overall well-being. ## The Bottom Line The Nerva app can be a promising tool for managing [IBS-D](/ibs-treatment) symptoms, particularly when used in combination with traditional treatments. It offers a holistic approach to managing symptoms by addressing the gut-brain axis and providing people with easy-to-use tools to self-manage their condition. While more research is needed to fully understand its long-term effectiveness, current studies suggest that the Nerva app can be a valuable addition to the treatment plan for individuals with IBS-D. Combining the Nerva app with dietary changes, medications, and natural treatments like probiotics, herbal remedies, and acupuncture targets both the physical and psychological aspects of the condition. Thus individuals can achieve better symptom control and improve their overall quality of life. ## Frequently Asked Questions about The Nerva App ### How does Nerva help with IBS-D? Nerva is a mobile app offering 42 sessions of gut-directed hypnotherapy over six weeks. Daily 10-15 minute audio sessions use guided relaxation and positive affirmations to rewire the brain's stress response center (amygdala), reducing nervous system-related IBS symptoms, particularly diarrhea, while providing symptom tracking and community support. ### Is the Nerva app better than traditional IBS-D medications? Nerva complements traditional treatments rather than replacing them. It addresses the gut-brain axis through hypnotherapy, offering a non-pharmacological option for those who haven't found relief with diet changes, antidiarrheals, or antispasmodics. Studies show hypnotherapy provides long-lasting benefits. Best results combine Nerva with traditional care from Scottsdale naturopathic doctors. ### Does gut-directed hypnotherapy really work for IBS? Yes. Research shows gut-directed hypnotherapy improves IBS symptoms by enhancing gut motility, reducing visceral hypersensitivity, and improving quality of life. Studies confirm long-lasting benefits. However, effectiveness varies individually and requires commitment -- daily sessions for six weeks. Combines well with probiotics, herbal remedies, acupuncture and stress management techniques. ## The Bottom Line on Nerva app/Gut-directed hypnotherapy The Nerva app can be a promising tool for managing [IBS-D](/ibs-treatment) symptoms, particularly when used in combination with traditional treatments. It offers a holistic approach to managing symptoms by addressing the gut-brain axis and providing people with easy-to-use tools to self-manage their condition. While more research is needed to fully understand its long-term effectiveness, current studies suggest that the Nerva app can be a valuable addition to the treatment plan for individuals with IBS-D. Combining the Nerva app with dietary changes, medications, and natural treatments like probiotics, herbal remedies, and acupuncture targets both the physical and psychological aspects of the condition. Thus individuals can achieve better symptom control and improve their overall quality of life. About the Author ## Dr. Dan Wool, NMD Dr. Dan Wool is a naturopathic doctor who specializes in gastroenterology, hormones and men's health in Scottsdale, Arizona. [Set up a free 15-minute discovery call with Dr. Wool today! ](https://drdanwool.com/booking) [Read more about Dr. Wool's Gut Health Journey](/about) ## References: [1] [I Tried Hypnotherapy to Manage My IBS—Here’s What Happened, By Carrie Myers, M.S. Published on February 11, 2025, Reviewed by Dietitian Annie Nguyen, M.A., RD; https://www.eatingwell.com/nerva-app-for-ibs-relief-9348763#toc-trying-the-nerva-app](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25858661/) [2] [FODMAP Diet: What You Need to Know, Reviewed by Hazel Galon Veloso, M.D., https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fodmap-diet-what-you-need-to-know](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fodmap-diet-what-you-need-to-know) [3] [6 Natural Remedies for IBS, by Sandra Gordon, updated on August 22, 2023, medically Reviewed by Ira Daniel Breite, MD, https://www.everydayhealth.com/ibs/ibs-natural-remedies.aspx](https://www.everydayhealth.com/ibs/ibs-natural-remedies.aspx) [4] [Nerva, a mobile application of gut-directed hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: User characteristics, patterns of use, and predictors of persistence, Simicich L, Muniz V, Scheffrahn K, Elkins G. Digit Health. 2024 Jun 14;10:20552076241263257. doi: 10.1177/20552076241263257. eCollection 2024 Jan-Dec., PMID: 38882251 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38882251/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38882251/) [5] [Review article: gut-directed hypnotherapy in the management of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, S L Peters 1, J G Muir, P R Gibson, PMID: 25858661 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13202, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25858661/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25858661/)